Sanjiv Bhatt lashes out at Modi over Maya Kodnani's sentence

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday broke its silence on the 28-year sentence awarded to the party’s Gujarat legislator Maya Kodnani, saying the conviction was proof of the existence of rule of law in the state, suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt wrote a letter to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi questioning the timing of Modi’s Google+ Hangout chat, and alleged that Modi had distanced himself from the Naroda Patia massacre verdict.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi

“You must have been apprise about the punishment meted out to your loyal lieutenants Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi, as well as the misguided foot-soldiers of misconceived Hindutva, who have now been condemned to spend a life in prison. Was it perchance that you smartly distanced yourself from all these unfortunate people at an opportune moment?”

Ever given it a thought? The letter goes on to ask Modi whether he spared a thought for the innocent family members of the accused who have been sentenced to a lifetime behind bars. “Have you even once thought about the plight of the wives and children of your onetime adulators who have been condemned for life?”

Refering to the 2002 post-Godhra riots, the letter says, “Have you ever considered, even once, whether it is alright to facilitate or connive in the killing of another human being just because he does not conform to your beliefs? Is it really worthwhile to deceive your own self.... or, is it only a small price to pay for your political ambitions?”

“Have you ever looked at the reflection of the real face behind the mask? Have you ever introspected about your true self concealed behind the meticulous imagery created by your media managers? Have you even once thought whether it is really worth it to sustain power, even if it requires sacrificing fellow human beings at the altar of expediency?”

Bhatt ends the letter saying that he hopes and prays to God that may “you get the time, wisdom and opportunity to find honest and truthful answers to some of these questions during this lifetime.”